Abstract: This invention relates to a range of compounds, polymeric compounds, and compositions used to prepare semiconductor and optoelectronic materials and devices including thin film and band gap materials for photovoltaic applications including devices and systems for energy conversion and solar cells. In particular, this invention relates to polymeric precursor compounds and precursor materials for preparing photovoltaic layers. A compound may contain repeating units {MA(ER)(ER)} and {MB(ER)(ER)}, wherein each MA is Cu, each MB is In or Ga, each E is S, Se, or Te, and each R is independently selected, for each occurrence, from alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkenyl, amido, silyl, and inorganic and organic ligands.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and articles using compounds, polymeric compounds, and compositions for semiconductor and optoelectronic materials and devices including thin film and band gap materials. This invention provides a range of compounds, polymeric compounds, compositions, materials and methods directed ultimately toward photovoltaic applications, transparent conductive materials, as well as devices and systems for energy conversion, including solar cells. In particular, this invention relates to polymeric precursor compounds and precursor materials for preparing photovoltaic layers. A compound may contain repeating units {MB(ER)(ER)} and {MA(ER)(ER)}, wherein MA is a combination of Cu and Ag, each MB is In or Ga, each E is S, Se, or Te, and each R is independently selected, for each occurrence, from alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkenyl, amido, silyl, and inorganic and organic ligands.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for making materials using compounds, polymeric compounds, and compositions used to prepare semiconductor and optoelectronic materials and devices including thin film and band gap materials. This invention provides a range of compounds, polymeric compounds, compositions, materials and methods directed ultimately toward photovoltaic applications, transparent conductive materials, as well as devices and systems for energy conversion, including solar cells. This invention further relates to methods for making CA(I,G,A)S, CAIGAS, A(I,G,A)S, AIGAS, C(I,G,A)S, and CIGAS materials by providing one or more polymeric precursor compounds or inks thereof, providing a substrate, depositing the compounds or inks onto the substrate; and heating the substrate at a temperature of from about 20° C. to about 650° C.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and articles using compounds, polymeric compounds, and compositions used to prepare semiconductor and optoelectronic materials and devices including thin film and band gap materials. This invention provides a range of compounds, polymeric compounds, compositions, materials and methods directed ultimately toward photovoltaic applications, transparent conductive materials, as well as devices and systems for energy conversion, including solar cells. In particular, this invention relates to polymeric precursor compounds and precursor materials for preparing photovoltaic layers. In particular, this invention relates to molecular precursor compounds and precursor materials for preparing photovoltaic layers including CAIGAS.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for materials using compounds, polymeric compounds, and compositions used to prepare semiconductor and optoelectronic materials and devices including thin film and band gap materials. This invention provides a range of compounds, polymeric compounds, compositions, materials and methods directed ultimately toward photovoltaic applications, transparent conductive materials, as well as devices and systems for energy conversion, including solar cells. This invention further relates to thin film CA(I,G,A)S, CAIGAS, A(I,G,A)S, AIGAS, C(I,G,A)S, and CIGAS materials made by a process of providing one or more polymeric precursor compounds or inks thereof, providing a substrate, depositing the compounds or inks onto the substrate; and heating the substrate at a temperature of from about 20° C. to about 650° C.

Abstract: Processes and compositions for making photovoltaic absorber materials for thin film solar cells including CIGS are disclosed. The processes and compositions achieve high thickness per pass for efficient manufacturing. Processes include depositing one or more layers of an ink onto a substrate, wherein the ink contains one or more polymeric precursor compounds. An ink for making a photovoltaic absorber material may contain one or more precursor compounds and an additive dissolved in one or more solvents, including hydrocarbon solvents.

Abstract: Ink compositions for making materials, including photovoltaic absorber materials for solar cells. An ink composition of this invention can contain one or more compounds having the formula MB(ER)3, wherein MB is In, Ga or Al, E is S or Se, and R is selected from alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkenyl, amido, and silyl.

Abstract: Methods for photovoltaic absorber materials for uses including solar cells. The methods include depositing onto a substrate an ink comprising one or more compounds having the formula MB(ER)3 wherein MB is In, Ga or Al, E is S or Se, and R is selected from alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkenyl, amido, and silyl, and heating the substrate.

Abstract: Processes for making a photovoltaic layer on a substrate by depositing a first layer of an ink onto the substrate, wherein the ink contains one or more compounds having the formula MB(ER)3, wherein MB is In, Ga, or Al, E is S or Se, and depositing a second layer of one or more copper chalcogenides or a CIGS material.

Abstract: Processes for making a photovoltaic absorber by depositing various layers of components on a substrate and converting the components into a thin film photovoltaic absorber material. Processes of this disclosure can be used to make a photovoltaic absorber having a concentration gradient of various atoms. CIGS thin film solar cells can be made.

Abstract: Processes for making a process for making a photovoltaic absorber by depositing various layers of components on a substrate and converting the components into a thin film photovoltaic absorber material. Processes for depositing an ink containing compounds having the formula MB(ER)3 wherein MB is In, Ga or Al, and polymeric precursor compounds.

Abstract: This invention relates to a range of compounds, inks and compositions used to make materials for photovoltaics, including solar cells. In particular, this invention relates to inks containing precursor compounds, as well as the precursor compounds, and materials for preparing photovoltaic layers. The precursor compounds and inks contain compounds having the formula MB(ER)3 wherein MB is In, Ga or Al, which can be deposited and converted to a material form.

Abstract: Solution-based processes for making thin film solar cells including CIGS are disclosed. A solar cell can have a conversion efficiency of 15% to 20% or greater. Processes for making solar cells include depositing various layers of monomer and polymeric components on a substrate and converting the components into a thin film photovoltaic absorber material. The stoichiometry of metal atoms in a solar cell can be controlled and targeted.

Abstract: Processes for making a solar cell by depositing various layers of components on a substrate and converting the components into a thin film photovoltaic absorber material. Processes of this disclosure can be used to control the stoichiometry of metal atoms in making a solar cell, and for targeting a particular concentration. CIGS thin film solar cells can be made.

Abstract: This invention relates to processes for compounds, polymeric compounds, and compositions used to prepare semiconductor and optoelectronic materials and devices including thin film and band gap materials. This invention provides a range of compounds, polymeric compounds, compositions, materials and methods directed ultimately toward photovoltaic applications, transparent conductive materials, as well as devices and systems for energy conversion, including solar cells. In particular, this invention relates to polymeric precursor compounds and precursor materials for preparing photovoltaic layers. In particular, this invention relates to molecular precursor compounds and precursor materials for preparing photovoltaic layers including CAIGAS.

Abstract: This invention relates to processes for a range of compounds, polymeric compounds, and compositions used to prepare semiconductor and optoelectronic materials and devices including thin film and band gap materials for photovoltaic applications including devices and systems for energy conversion and solar cells. In particular, this invention relates to polymeric precursor compounds and precursor materials for preparing photovoltaic layers. A compound may contain repeating units {MA(ER)(ER)} and {MB(ER)(ER)}, wherein each MA is Cu, each MB is In or Ga, each E is S, Se, or Te, and each R is independently selected, for each occurrence, from alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkenyl, amido, silyl, and inorganic and organic ligands.

Abstract: This invention relates to compounds, polymeric compounds, and compositions used to prepare semiconductor and optoelectronic materials and devices including thin film and band gap materials. This invention provides a range of compounds, polymeric compounds, compositions, materials and methods directed ultimately toward photovoltaic applications, transparent conductive materials, as well as devices and systems for energy conversion, including solar cells. In particular, this invention relates to polymeric precursor compounds and precursor materials for preparing photovoltaic layers. In particular, this invention relates to molecular precursor compounds and precursor materials for preparing photovoltaic layers including CAIGAS.

Abstract: Processes for making a solar cell by depositing various layers of components on a substrate and converting the components into a thin film photovoltaic absorber material. Processes of this disclosure can be used to control the stoichiometry of metal atoms in making a solar cell for targeting a particular concentration and providing a gradient of metal atom concentration. A selenium layer can be used in annealing a thin film photovoltaic absorber material.

Abstract: Processes for making a solar cell by depositing various layers of components on a substrate and converting the components into a thin film photovoltaic absorber material. Processes of this disclosure can be used to control the stoichiometry of metal atoms in making a solar cell for targeting a particular concentration and providing a gradient of metal atom concentration. A selenium layer can be used in annealing a thin film photovoltaic absorber material.

Abstract: Processes for making a thin film solar cell on a substrate by providing a substrate coated with an electrical contact layer, depositing an ink onto the contact layer of the substrate, wherein the ink contains an alkali ion source compound suspended or dissolved in a carrier along with photovoltaic absorber precursor compounds, and heating the substrate. The alkali ion source compound can be MalkMB(ER)4 or Malk(ER). The processes can be used for CIS or CIGS.